Catcade Virtual 5k 2026

Join us for the 4th Catcade Virtual 5k!

Whether you're one of those people who enjoy running (how?!) or want to participate from your couch (you'll fit right in with us) this is a virtual race which means you'll have a 30 day window to complete it!

You can complete it any way you like: run it, walk it, spread out your miles over multiple days, sit on the couch and think about doing it but read a book instead, or just simply host a fundraiser. Whatever way you choose to finish your 5k is up to you because at the end of the day just signing up helps the kitties and that is what really matters. Plus you get a cool shirt no matter what so it's a win-win. 

All participants will receive a limited edition race shirt designed just for this year's 5k. (We will be shipping the shirts ourselves so please be patient with us. We will do our best to get them out as soon as possible but please allow us 2-3 weeks from the time you register.) Sizing is only guaranteed before August 30th. You can opt to pick up your shirt in person at The Catcade - we will reach out when it is ready for pickup!

We do make our entire staff get together and walk it as a team and you can always join us. We will be walking on Sunday, September 13th (time TBD). We will provide more details as the date gets closer. 

Help save even more cats by creating your own fundraising page!

Your individual fundraising page allows you to set a goal and tell your story about why you want to help the kitties.

The funds we raise from the 5k will help us continue our mission of rescuing medical needs cats like Valrhona, Tyson, and Rory.

Each individual fundraiser has the opportunity to earn special bonuses for donation milestones:

$250 or more - 5k sticker pack with 6 stickers

$500 or more - everything from the previous level plus a limited edition 5k tote bag

$1,000 or more - everything from the previous levels plus a private hour for up to 20 people in our new lounge

The funds raised from our virtual 5k will be used to continue saving medical needs cats. This year we have rescued 272 cats with over 20% being medical cases.

Valrhona

Valrhona was only with us for three weeks. She had hydrocephalus, a serious condition that causes fluid to build up around the brain. She had an appointment with a specialist at the University of Illinois to determine if surgery was an option.

The day before that appointment, Valrhona began having seizures. She never had them before so at first we hoped they would taper off. Instead they became more frequent and more severe. We took Valrhona to the emergency room and said a very tearful goodbye.

She didn't get the long life we wanted for her. But for three weeks she was loved, and knew warmth, comfort, soft blankets, and people who were rooting for her every single day.

Rory

In June we were notified that a shelter in Springfield had been destroyed by a tornado. Within days we put together an emergency transport and rescued 41 cats in one weekend. Rory was one of them.

He had been found with wounds covering his head and face and one of his ears was so badly injured it was best described as "just hanging there." Rory underwent multiple surgeries to repair the wounds. He came back to The Catcade and spent the next couple of weeks recovering in one of our isolation rooms. Rory can be a little shy at first, but he absolutely loves being pet so our staff was always sneaking into his room to give him love while he healed. Once Rory healed he was able to find his forever home.

Tyson

"Any interest in a fun medical case this week? He's very friendly but the vet was saying he will require a level of treatment and care that the shelter likely can't provide."

That was the message we received about Tyson. When he came to us it was obvious he had been living a very tough life as an outdoor street cat. His body was covered in wounds consistent with bites from other cats along with a large wound on his front right leg that required surgery. He then spent the next couple of weeks recovering in one of our isolation rooms while we monitored him. Tyson always remained of the friendliest boys and also found his forever home.